Valley Sun

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct dwarf peach variety suitable for commercial and/or home garden use. The variety has a unique origin and differs from selection `Valley Red` by its slightly smaller fruit, and from selection `Valley Gem` in that the fruit of this variety ripens much earlier.

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of dwarf peach treewhich resulted from a complex cross, the pedigree of which is set forthbelow. ##STR1##

The last step of self pollination of 14,45-1 was made in 1980.

The invention of genotype `Valley Sun` (4,7-31) was discovered in 1983subsequently asexually propagated at the University of California,Davis, Calif. in 1968. Thereafter it was placed in a selection block atthe University of California at Davis, and at the Kearney HorticulturalField Station, Fresno County, Calif. and evaluated. The evaluationrevealed the merit of this new dwarf peach tree and resulted in itsselection as a promising cultivar.

FIG. 1 illustrates peaches of the new cultivar which are typical insize, shape and color and depicts very firm ripe fruit.

FIG. 2 illustrates a tree of the new cultivar which is typical in size,shape and color.

The characteristics that most distinguish this new dwarf tree from otherdwarf peach cultivars are the excellent red blush that covers nearly theentire fruit surface by the time the fruit reaches shipping maturity,its firmness, and its short fine pubescence.

The fruit of this genotype is of very good eating quality; being sweet,but with an excellent flavor and a moderate aroma. The flesh is a clearamber-yellow color, without any red until near fully ripe.

The characteristics of this new dwarf peach tree described below indetail were observed u on its discovery and subsequently through theevaluation period. The color terminology as used herein is in accordancewith Nickerson Color Fan, published and distributed by Munsell ColorCo., 10 East Franklin St., Baltimore 2, Md.

Tree:

Genotype.--Homozygous dw/dw.

Size.--About 5 ft. in August of its 6th year at Davis (5-7 ft. atmaturity) vigorous; spherical. Current seasons shoots -- Stout with aleaf internode distance of 6.3±2.0 mm; brilliant yellow green (2,5GY8/9)to strong yellow green (2,5GY7/10), tinged red where exposed.

Trunk.--Little if any trunk.

Branches.--Stout, brown to reddish brown (moderate olive 10Y4/3 tobrownish grey 2.54); bark rough; peeling off in recurved platelets whichadhere tightly; on younger branches growth cracks longitudinallystriated showing light brown beneath (moderate olive brown 2.54).

Lenticels.--Moderately numerous, medium size, relatively inconspicuouswith low, raised lips.

Leaves: From the middle of shoots 20 to 24 cms long.

Size.--Medium; 19±1.5 cm. long×3.5±0.5. wide.

Shape.--Elliptic-laceolate; base acuminate; apex long, acute-acuminate.Flat to somewhat recurved; apex more or less twisted.

Blade.--Thin; dark green above (dark yellowish green 10GY4/5), lighterbelow. Margin crenate. Midrib sparsely puberulent laterally, next toblade.

Petiole.--Short, 1.2+0.18 cm. long; moderately thick; channeled onventral surface; strong yellow green 7.5GY6/8.

Glands.--Reniform, usually 8 or more on upper half of the petiole and onthe base of the blade.

Flowers: 1-2 per node.

Corolla.--Color and surface red (Ox-Blood Red, Plate I) to greenishdepending upon exposure; glabrous.

Calyx lobes.--Separate; almost conic in shape, apex generally pointed. 4mm at base by 4 mm long. Lobes reflexed about 90.

Petals.--Showey; broad ovate to nearly round; 15 mm wide×20 mm long to18 mm wide×18 mm long; clear pink (Rose Pink, Plate XII). Margin moreoften slightly eroded and/or nicked or slightly cleft at apex, flattish.Claw 1-2 mm medium long; medium stoutness.

Fruit:

Ripe.--July 23rd 1983, July 25th in 1985, July 30th in 1985 and July20th in 1986 at UCD.

Crop.--Moderate for tree.

Size.--Medium; average weight of fruit 180±17 gms.

Pubescence.--Short, fine, light.

Shape.--Slightly oblong. Length 76±6 mm×cheek diameter 74±6 mm×suturediameter 76±5 mm. Fairly regular, one half often slightly larger, orsymmetrical with a somewhat protruding suture lip; apex depressed, orwith a short, fleshy tip. Base may slope slightly toward the ventralsuture. Ventral aspect: Broad elliptic to broad ovate; truncate at base,rounded or truncate at apex; halfs nearly equal to 1 noticeably larger.Axial aspect: Nearly round; the ventral side somewhat thinner than theventral side.

Base.--Somewhat variable; broad oval in outline. Medium shallow depth,conical; rather small; flattened at right angles to the fruit axis.

Suture.--The suture edge is smooth, or more commonly somewhatprotruding; one-half somewhat larger and forming a lip.

Apex.--The stylar scar a small dot, sometimes raised on a low fleshlytip. Rather deeply creased apically, the crease running somewhat pastthe stylar scar, to rounded and not at all depressed with the apicalpoint occasionally a low, fleshy tip.

Pit cavity.--About 10% longer than the stone. No red except foroccasional short, radiating lines of red near cavity.

Cavity color.--Red (dark red 2.5R3/7 to moderate red 2.5R4/10).

Adhesions.--Freestone.

Flesh.--A color between 2.5 Y9/.9 brilliant yellow and 7.5YR9/4 paleorange yellow.

Flavor.--Eating quality very good. Sweet with a mild sub acid flavor.

Stone.--Medium size; somewhat long elliptic to slightly obovate;moderately plump. The grooves of medium depth and width rounded. Colordark red brown (moderate brown 5.4R3/3).

Seed.--Ovate; moderately plump; testas brown (strong brown 5.4 4/5).

I claim:
 1. The new and distinct variety of peach tree herein describedand illustrated and identified by the characteristics enumerated aboveand the parts thereof.